Bathrooms have quickly become the gee-whiz spaces of tomorrow. Not because they're filled with gadgets and gizmos to delight the inner-techie in you, but because they are taking cleanliness and functionality to new levels.

The demand is soaring in homes for bathrooms that offer touch-free fixtures, spa-like appointments and the ability to allow your personal devices to follow you seamlessly from other parts of the house into the inner sanctum of privacy.

Even "for sale" listings in high-end magazines entice prospective buyers with a home's luxury bathroom features. A $1.675 million house in fashionable Wesley Heights, D.C., for example, advertised a "steam shower" along with a "cook's kitchen" as part of "all the bells and whistles" available in one 4,000-square-foot colonial.

"We're seeing so much more technology enter the space," says Travis Rotelli, senior interior designer for Wisconsin-based Kohler. "People want the ability to customize their experience and to be more involved with the products in the bathroom."

"Gen Y has grown up with technology," says John Petrie, president-elect of the 60,000-member National Kitchen & Bath Association. "They're accustomed to having it. Now, they are in the situation where they're buying homes — and that's what they expect."

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The TOTO Neorest 550H toilet has an easy-to-read remote control, a SanaGloss ceramic glaze that prevents sticking, a programmable nightlight, hands-free flush and three-mode personal cleansing system with warm air dryer. It starts at $5,500. TOTO

Kohler's Numi is completely digital, has a touch-screen remote, dual flush that uses less water
for liquid vs. solid waste, a built-in bidet with temperature control that also
dries and sanitizes. The toilet retails for about $6,390. Kohler

Kohler VibrAcoustic bath with Chromatherapy uses sound waves to help you relax.You
can listen to one of the songs programmed in, plug in your own music or stream
music via Bluetooth technology. Prices range from about $3,200. Kohler

In the shower, Moen's ioDigital lets you control the temperature and water flow and alerts you when the shower is just right for you to step in. The base ioDigital shower starts at $1,300. Top models cost $2,500 to $3,500 depending on showerhead and finish. Moen

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They're asking for touchless faucets, toilets that open when you approach them and close when you walk away, toilet seats with built-in bidets like the Duravit SensoWash Starck C, programmable thermostats that let you set preferences for temperature, timing, water pressure and more, medicine cabinets with built-in televisions, music in the shower and tub, and heated tile floors.

"They're not talking about toys," says David Krakoff, president of sales for the Americas at TOTO USA. He views the products his company makes for the bathroom as essential, not just high-tech. "We're addressing people's legitimate need to get clean, to improve their experience in the bathroom." They want products more in tune with the 21st century than the 18th century, he says.

And Generation Y is not alone. The desire for bathrooms to be more efficient and welcoming of personal technology cuts across all generations and demographics as consumers become increasingly wedded to their touch-screen devices and the ease of use they've come to expect in products.

In fact, a survey last year by integrated marketing firm 11mark, based in Alexandria, Va., found that 75% of Americans use their phones to text, e-mail and — in some cases — talk while in the bathroom.

They want the technology to be present but largely invisible in the bathroom, says David Lingafelter, president of Moen, which is based in North Olmsted, Ohio. "You're starting to see the integration more of the digital technology that you can preprogram, that you can preset. Who wants the spinning dial anymore?"

The average bathroom remodeling project cost about $10,760 in 2011, according to the latest full-year figures available from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS). However, the average return on investment is only about 62% to 65%, Petrie estimates. That's only slightly higher than in past years. Yet homeowners are often willing to take the plunge on a bathroom project because what they gain in the ability to customize and personalize their time in the bathroom can't always be measured in dollars and cents.

The push for better products in the bathroom is driven in large part by the cautious optimism bubbling in the housing industry as home price decline and foreclosures and tight credit spawned by the recession recede. In 2011, spending on home improvements and repairs climbed to $275 billion, says JCHS research analyst Abbe Will.

"For 2013, we're projecting strong year-over-year growth increasing through the third quarter," she says. While it will likely fall far short of the market peak of $328 billion in 2007, the increases indicate a growing boldness among consumers.

"We are starting to see the momentum coming back into the market with people investing in their homes again," Lingafelter says. And though consumers are not spending with reckless abandon, they are exploring new options for their homes "carefully, cautiously and deliberately," he says.

He says consumers' desire for bathroom solutions that address their demand for more personalization coincides with the popularity of home improvement TV shows such as those on cable network HGTV. Homeowners are more aware of the options they can put into their homes. People want to integrate thoughtful design into their "digital dwellings," Lingafelter says. They don't just want technology for technology's sake.

And to do that, they are willing to forgo the McMansions of the past, he adds, if they can get more customization into a smaller footprint. "They're looking at the life payback from the stuff they want to spend their money on."

Mr. Steam is banking on that trend with its iSteam home steam shower system, which uses 1 to 2 gallons of water in a typical session, vs. 10 to 20 gallons of water for a typical shower and 30 to 50 gallons of water for a typical bath, according to Michael Pinkus, president of Sussman-Automatic, which makes the steam shower systems. The energy cost for an average steam shower session is under $1, he says.

"The bathroom has been increasingly recognized as a refuge and sanctuary from life's chores and demands — where people can be uninterrupted and alone," Pinkus says. "ISteam is the ultimate luxury that people once only associated with retreats and spa."

While more common in Europe and in traditional hammams or Turkish bathhouses, the practice of steam bathing is catching steam in this country.

A closer look at some products:

TOILETS

• Kohler Numi. It is completely digital, has a touch-screen remote, dual flush that uses less water for liquid vs. solid waste, a built-in bidet with temperature control that also dries and sanitizes, a heated seat and built-in music. It fits a standard toilet rough-in space but does require an electrical outlet. It can be customized for six different user profiles. The toilet comes with a touch-screen remote and has built-in lighting that illuminates the bowl, so it's easily seen at night. The toilet retails for about $6,390.

• TOTO S350e Washlet with ewater+. Just 3/8-inch high in front and sloping back 3-15/16-inches, this heated seat in round or oval shapes fits over existing toilets, automatically opens and closes, and provides instant warm-water wand cleaning, heated drying and deodorizing, and pre-misting with water —and post use misting with eWater+ -- of the toilet bowl. Touch-pad control has settings for two users. Washlet retails for about $1,700.

TOTO Neorest 550H. Toilet has an easy-to-read remote control, a SanaGloss ceramic glaze that prevents sticking, a programmable nightlight, hands-free flush and three-mode personal cleansing system with warm air dryer. Starts at $5,500. "Cleaning yourself with water instead of paper is a whole different level of getting clean," says Krakoff.

BATHING

• Kohler VibrAcoustic Baths. Different from the bubble massage and jetted whirlpool tubs commonly found in upscale homes, this tub uses sound waves and music specifically programmed through the water to help the bather relax. The tub comes equipped with a 4x6-inch control panel and speakers designed to work above and below the waterline. You can listen to one of the songs programmed in, plug in your own music or stream music via Bluetooth technology. Prices range from about $3,200, Rotelli says.

SHOWERS

• Kohler DTV Prompt. Showing up in new construction and remodels, according to Rotelli, the DTV stands for "digital thermostatic valve." Controls up to two devices. On the digital screen, pick your ideal shower temp with a simple button. It notifies you when ready. No more reaching in to see if the water's just right. The DTV Prompt diverter lets you toggle between shower or bath or run both simultaneously. Set the timer, if you'd like, to control the length of your shower. Or you can pause the water for up to three minutes while you lather up. Starts at $975 retail.

• Moen ioDigital Shower. Uses digital control to automatically adjust the hot and cold water until it reaches your ideal temperature. Lights flash to let you know the water temperature is ready. The ioDigital shower starts at about $1,300, according to Mike Reffner, group product manager for Moen. Top models cost $2,500 to $3,500 retail, depending on the showerhead and finish.

• iSteam. This steam shower is controlled by a 4.3-inch color LCD touch-screen device that allows the bather to control the temperature, duration, chromatic lighting and even an aromatherapy option. A base-level steam system starts at $1,000 but can go much higher. The iDream package from Mr. Steam that comes with everything including the iSteam control, starts at about $5,375 retail and is available through showrooms, builders, remodelers and plumbing suppliers.

OTHER FIXTURES

Aimes Ceiling Mount with EcoPower LED Lighting System. Rain showerhead from TOTO emits a gentle glow as flowing water powers its electronics. Retails for $2,269.

REMODEL TIPS

Looking to incorporate technology into your bathroom? Here are some tips to guide your decision-making:

• Make sure you have adequate electrical outlets. While some products work wirelessly, others mentioned above require access to a power source, although you operate them via touch-screen or remote control.

• Be sure you have space for your planned purchase. Many toilets and showers fit in the traditional amount of rough-in space. But some require additional room.

• If you want to be greener, consider a dual-flush toilet that uses less water to handle liquid waste vs. solid waste.

• Do your homework before you start a project. You need to have a clear understanding of what technology you want to incorporate into your home, says John Petrie, president-elect of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Interview your prospective certified designer and/or installer.